Intel has revamped its "Next Unit of Computing" micro-PC with upgrades both inside and out. The new black and silver case is more compact than last year's models, and arguably more stylish.

More importantly, connectivity has been significantly expanded. The 2012 NUC design was criticised for offering just three USB 2 ports; the updated 2013 model offers four USB 3 ports.

Gigabit Ethernet is now also standard, along with mini-HDMI and mini-DisplayPort connectors (the Thunderbolt option is no longer offered). An integrated IR receiver, compatible with Windows Media Center remote controls, faces the front, boosting the NUC's credentials as a front-room PC.

The new NUC will be available by Christmas in Haswell-based Core i3 and i5 variants. As before, customers will have to install their own mSATA SSD and mini-PCI-E Wi-Fi modules.

The company also plans to make available an Atom-based NUC, based on the Bay Trail architecture, which - in order to help keep costs low - will come in a larger case to accommodate a regular 2.5in hard disk drive.